I'm sure you will get everything sorted out in no time John. You seem to know exactly where to go and who to see to get things right, always good to read you posts here and your Blog my friend.

Oh! It's not actually a service on the Colorado, it's a 3000km FREE CHECK. I am at the halfway mark already. I want to get that done before I leave the Tropics for the Arctic climate. It feels a bit like that here in Townsville this morning actually 10c . I must be turning into a banana bender :)

Looking forward to seeing you all about midday.

halfpint wrote:

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Hi john, show grounds sound good. Do they have showers there as well. ??. Homehill is a nice place.chat soon.

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 Yes Patty there are hot showers in both Home Hill locations, now on the coast so Optus is working fine.

Just added a pic to show how well the feral look is progressing.  John

 

 

 

Morning John - good to read your report - hope the bus is ok - maybe using the higher octane is an answer - what about oil change?

Home Hill Showgrounds looks ok - and what a bargain, that whole town is so traveller friendly, other towns should take a lesson from them I think. Is the new IGA open? They had started to build it last time we were there.

Lovely warm days over here - very cool nights and early mornings - though some of the party don't see the early mornings.

Looking good in the photo - someone I know is going to not be happy when he says your beard!!!!!!

Heading a little bit further south today - still above Port Hedland though.

Take care - and say hi to your travel companions - Doug when he gets there!

They people who do Camps book were in here yesterday - travelling round doing updates etc., had a chat and he told us of a good spot we will try out next week I think.

See you!

John, You should be able to get a job in December moonlighting as a santa. Cheers from Alice & Keith

Hi John good to see you looking well, we loved home hill say hi to Donna and Vic for us, pleae tell Donna I broke my arm, it will amuse her!

when are you coming north we are not far in front of you.

Good picture Billeeee, that was awhile ago

Hi Patty, the pic was taken during the Tassie trip Billeee and Jules came back suddenly and I was caught showering.

 

Thanks for all the comments and Jules the IGA hasn't reopened yet but the news had reached us before so I shopped at Bowen. Any one coming this way had better be aware that just at the turnoff to the showgrounds there is a small park opposite with lots of camping space and toilets, no signs up but it is watched and persons stopping overnight get booked.

 

OK now have had the bus checked over and the problem was the choke, it is held on to the carby with 3 bolts one of which had worked loose and fell out and the other 2 were loose allowing the setting to move off the correct line and allow too much fuel to flow. After that was all done I took my washing across to the Comfort Station and put $10 into the change machine getting 10 @ $1 coins, the washing cycle took 30 minutes allowing me plenty of time to visit the Info Centre. The drying cycle took 45 minutes so I took advantage of the free hot showers instead of sitting there looking at the collection of magazines. Spoiled for choice 'cos also had hot showers available at the showgrounds.

 

Doug came round as planned so all of the Grey Nomads sat round with plenty to discuss. Doug, Paul, Chris, Barrie and myself. I found a huge hardware, engineering shop and was able to buy a combination of pipes and bolts to make legs for my choofer using Rod's idea of drilling and inserting 3 bolts around the base then tightening them in place. Sliding a small sleeve over the bolt then tightening that in place allowing a bigger pipes to be slid over creating the legs. Easy to do on the road without welding equipment.

 

Today we are going to explore the local beaches and have a look round Ayre, this is great for me to be able to get around the locality where I am camped without decamping. The reason behind my decision to put a bigger motor in the bus and tow a small car, all much further down the track when I can save up to make it happen. I was offered a Blue 202 motor with an automatic gearbox attached for free by the young mechanic at the service centre, he had taken it out of VC Commodore and it was running well but as young mechanics do he wanted a more powerful replacement so this motor is sitting at his dad's place. Obviously I would like to take him up on his offer but the job would cost more than I can afford just now, I have his number if I can make it before leaving Qld.     John

It sure was great to catch up with the gang at Home Hill for sure, I got to meet a couple of people from GN's that I hadn't met before and that is always a good thing.

If anyone can make something happen it's john with his can do and positive attitude.

I will see you all again when you get to Townsville. I will be heading away from here myself soon after I reckon.

Great reading your stories of your travels John - sounds as though you enjoy yourself and that is great to hear.